Campo Verde (7-1) visits Williams Field (6-2) in a big 5A San Tan conference matchup in the East Valley on Friday.
The Coyotes got off to their best start in school history (7-0), but suffered their first loss of the season last week against Higley. The Blackhawks are riding a six-game win streak after losing their first two games of the season.
“We didn’t put the best version of ourselves out there last week,” Campo Verde head coach Max Ragsdale said. “There were a lot of errors and a lot of mistakes. I think we got down on ourselves instead of staying tough.”
Last season, Williams Field pulled out the win over Campo, 17-14.
Check out the players to watch ahead of Friday’s matchup. Kick-off is at 7pm PT/10pm ET on YurView AZ and on yurview.com/live.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Sr. OT Noah Nelson, 6’8″ 305 – Williams Field
Nelson is rated as the No. 36 offensive tackle in the country and No. 480 overall by 247Sports.
The 6’8″ 305 pound tackle committed to Oklahoma in May.
Excited for the next chapter of my life!!!
BOOMER SOONER!!! 🌹🔥 pic.twitter.com/uPQMMdXkKL
— Noah Nelson (@NoahNelson70) May 14, 2019
Nelson helps make up an impressive offensive line for the Blackhawks. He is one of three big men that will be playing Division 1 football next season. Offensive guard Cooper Darling is committed to Oregon State and tackle Andrew Garcia is uncommitted but has offers from several programs.
Williams Field head coach Steve Campbell knows the benefit of having a solid offensive line. Campbell was a quarterback on ASU’s 1996 Rose Bowl team and helped lead the Sun Devils to a Sun Bowl victory in ’97.
At camp prior to the season, Campbell stressed the importance of the Williams Field o-line.
“They get no love,” Campbell said. “They’re out there busting their butt, for one of (running backs, wide receivers, quarterbacks) to get in to the end zone and they’re doing that as a selfless act.”
Jr. RB Caden Calloway, 5’9″ 166 – Campo Verde
Calloway had to step up this season after senior running back Cameron Pinon suffered an injury early in the season.
https://twitter.com/CadenCalloway/status/1180514890529689601
The 5’9″ 160 pound running back has stepped in to his new role with ease, racking up over 1,200 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns in eight games this season.
“(He’s) tough,” Ragsdale said. “(He) has intangibles you can’t teach. He’s a little guy, (but) he gets after it.”
Sr. QB Mason Bugg, 6’2″ 180 – Williams Field
Bugg is a dual-threat for the Blackhawks. With a solid offensive line up front, he is able to get it done on the ground and through the air.
@WFHighSchool senior QB @MasonBugg2 is having an amazing season! 91/142 pass completions (17.8 YDS/CMP) and has racked up 347 yards (8.1 YDS/ATT) rushing! pic.twitter.com/whe2wZ5VJc
— Evan Brody (@etbrody) October 24, 2019
Bugg has over 1,600 passing yards, 17 touchdowns and nearly 400 rushing yards with four touchdowns.
Campbell said Bugg has made great improvements this season, and has really come into his own at the helm of the Blackhawks’ offense.
Sr. LB Jayden Fletcher, 5’11” 195 – Campo Verde
Coach Ragsdale described Fletcher as an overachiever. He may be smaller in size, but you can find Fletcher making plays all over the field for the Coyotes defense.
Campo sack forces Higley FG of 43 yards, 9-7 Knights @coachragsdalecv @HIGLEYFOOTBALL @AZPreps365 #AZPreps365 pic.twitter.com/9xFhnRRah1
— Jason P. Skoda (@JasonPSkoda) October 19, 2019
“He’s a kid that overachieves at everything he does,” Ragsdale said. “Again, he’s 5’9″ 190 pounds, and he’s one of the leading tacklers in 5A.”
Fletcher has 64 total tackles, 44 solo and seven tackles for loss.
You can catch the action LIVE on Friday, Oct. 25, 2019 at 7:00pm PT/10:00pm ET on Cox (Ch. 1004 PHX, Ch. 1007 Tucson) or at yurview.com/live.